Barrow Raiders Ladies have signed the former Wigan winger Christina Tully for the 2022 Betfred Women’s Super League season.
Like many before her the 25-year-old originally played rugby union through school and at university, and has also represented the England Deaf Rugby Union team.
An NHS physiotherapist Tully is linking up again with head coach Amanda Wilkinson, after both were in the Wigan Warriors camp in its debut year of 2018.
Tully said: “I live in Cumbria, so when I heard Amanda was the new head coach for Barrow I couldn’t miss the opportunity to trial and I’m so pleased I’ve been successful and very excited to return to rugby, especially playing for a Cumbrian team.
“I felt I never really achieved my full potential at Wigan. Unfortunately I suffered a few injuries playing for them and had to take a lot of time out to recover.
“I feel Barrow Ladies is already such a well-established rugby team, now having Amanda with all her experience, I’m excited to see how we will do in the Super League. I’m excited myself to be back playing the sport I love and feel lucky to have the opportunity to play again!”
On her latest addition, the second this week following the signing of Claire Hutchinson, head coach Wilkinson said: “Christina had a real positive presence in the trails last week. She created tries with her vision and ball handling skills and showed great shape and strength in defence.
“I have coached Christina before at Wigan in 2018. She was part of the squad that went on to make a piece of history for the club, winning the first ever Women’s Super League Grand Final.
“Unfortunately for both the team and Christina, her season was over before it began as she picked up a bad injury in a friendly, but she stayed very involved with the squad through her rehab and returned to play the following season.
“She is such a team player. She is honest and hard-working and an athlete that will always give her best and work for her teammates.”
